Lake Powell

Mark and I got to go to Lake Powell for 4 days last week. We had such a great time! Grandma Neilene flew out from North Dakota to stay with the kids so we could go. This was my first trip to Powell and I can't wait to go back. There were 24 of us, adults only. We had 2 house boats, 2 ski boats, 4 jet skis and tons of food! We stayed in Moki Canyon, went on a 10 mile hike (which was more than any of us bargained for) that was such a neat experience, did lots of exploring, cliff diving and playing on the water, ate tons of food, and tried to ignore the naked people in the house boat across from us! We also got to try out the Aqua Skipper, play horseshoes and experience The Crack. It was so relaxing and we had such a great time!

When we first left the kids, I was so sad, but by the end of our trip, I didn't want to come home! I LOVE my kids, but a vacation away is much needed from time to time!! Our next destination: Hawaii!

Mark jumping from about 50 feet

Yes, that would be Mark on the far right!

Jeff on the Aqua Skipper...the guys were hilarious on that thing!

The house boat that we stayed on
The Crack

Jack's Shiny Red Bike

Jackson is my kid who would stay inside playing video games all day if I let him. During the summer he's outside all the time, but it is seriously like pulling teeth to get him to go outside when his brothers are in school. The weather is so nice and I want him to be able to enjoy the outside as long as possible, so this was my solution. We went yesterday and he picked out this bike. I tried to get him to get one just a little bit bigger, but this was the one he wanted. So, we brought it home and he's been outside ever since! Gotta Love It!!

Jackson and Pieper riding together

Spontaneous...

We took a very last minute, very fun trip to North and South Dakota last week. There was a LOT of driving involved, but it was way worth it. We figured with it being the last week of the kids summer break, we may as well take the opportunity to go! We knew once school started there was no way we'd be able to pull it off. We went with Mark's sister, Marlene, and most of the kids cousins: Taylor, Emilee, Jadon, Jonalyn and Jamie to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We went to church with Joe and Neilene on Sunday, took a trip to the Zoo and spent lots of time at the water park where they are staying. The kids had so much fun!!! We did some shopping and of course played a few games of pitch. Then we were off again.

On our way home we stopped in Deadwood. That was an interesting little western town. You can see in the photo what Emilee thought of Deadwood! We visited Cosmo, a little place near Mt. Rushmore, where everything defies gravity...the kids loved it there. And then went to see Mt. Rushmore. What an amazing place. On our way home through Wyoming we stopped at Martin's Cove and learned more about the pioneers and their rescue at the Sweetwater River.

We had such a great trip. We got home last night. The kids start school tomorrow and I am so ready to be back on a schedule! We miss you Grandma and Grandpa! Thanks for the fun trip!!

(I promised Jamie and Taylor that I would post this picture on my blog, so this is for them!!)

What A Summer!

It has been one crazy month! There is so much that has gone on and I have so many pictures to post! Here it all is in a nutshell! The Steele's are here to visit, Delta Res, Park City, Jackson' Itty Bitty T-Ball and Mark's Softball. Oh, and of course, Allison had her baby on Wednesday!! We have been going non-stop the last few weeks, and there is so much more to come! It's been a great, but busy summer so far and it's not even half way over!!

Our good friends are visiting from Texas for the summer. We went swimming with them on Tuesday. The kids had a blast! It's been so fun to visit with them! We miss them dearly!

Delta Res

Yeah, I didn't know it existed either! Our neighbors, and dear friends, took us boating for the weekend. What a super fun blast! We left Friday morning and stayed with Brad's parents through the weekend. There were three couples and tons of kids. We had such a great time waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing and riding the jet skis! I left my camera at the house on Friday, so these are all pictures of Saturday. Sunday we all got dressed up and went to church. After church we ate a yummy lunch and drove home. We had such a great time!

Softball Anyone?

Since Caden and Jace both play soccer, I thought for sure that Jackson would want to play soccer as well. Nope! He was adamant about playing t-ball. Maybe it was because we watch his dad play softball. That was the sport he picked. He was so excited about it! It has been so cute to watch him concentrate so hard on hitting the ball. And then to watch him run around the bases! His coaches were so cute with him! We get to go every Tuesday and Thursday morning. So fun!



Then there's Marks Softball games every week. They are in the tournament now. Their team is pretty good, we all have fun watching and cheering them on!

At The Park

I love our circle! There are so many boys that are Jace's age and they have so much fun together! I car pool with 4 other moms. It works out so great because every day Jace has a play date at one of his friends houses. On our day we went to the park. Here are a few pictures....